Rating: 
Summary: Deep and interesting
Review: Like everyone else who has posted, I first heard of Big O from watching Toonami and Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. When I first saw the first episode, I will admit I didn't much of the show. Yet, as the episode went on I found the show quote interesting. The episodes I watched the more interesting the story line became.
I eventually saw the entire first season, and had to have the DVD collection. The aspects that make this show interesting have already been discussed: music, dubbing, story line, etc. Yet, what makes this a worth-wile buy is the fact that you can watch it many times, and never really have the show figured out. Because even with the last episode there is not really any complete closure to be found, it a show that keeps you wondering?
I also had to have the sound track because the varioius styles of music on the show from opera, to jazz, to a kind of techno sound were enthralling. This series also touches on the human element of, "Who am I really, and why am I here?" The fact that the main characters are all vulnerable, and are not all so tuff, but real people is interesting. (some of this comes out in the second season.......but that is for another review.)
Of course don't forget it is always cools to see robots fighting in a big city. I can't imagine what insurance costs in Paradigm City.....sheesh every other day or week some robot is causing trouble.
So if you like the mystery, suspense, and giant robots fighting in the streets. This DVD is for you. It's showtime!
Rating:
Summary: Ah, poor Charles--
Review: Pity you got stuck writing the official review.
Big O is anime aimed primarily at adults (much like the batman series) It does have a plot, a rather complex one, in fact, spanning multiple episodes.
There is a second season, co-produced by cartoon network, (by the same studio that did the animated batman, actually.) And there are plans for a third season. Fret not, Charles, the plot will be resolved.
Rating:
Summary: ...ok...
Review: so, I'm not a huge anime fan, but there are a few here and there that entertain me (ghost in the shell, and witch hunter robin mostly), but when I stumbled across this series, I knew I had found something special. Although it is not without its flaws (the middle episodes can get down-right boring), there is something very stylish and unique about this movie. I won't attempt to explain the some-what complicated story, as you can read about it above, but all I can tell you is that if you are an anime fan, you should check it out. Although it doesn't present a lot of philosiphy (like Ghost in the Shell), it isn't quite as mindless (no offence) as Witch Hunter Robin. One word of warning, the story is not wrapped up in a nice little bow at the end, and never will, because the second season was never produced and scraped... which is the series only down fall, because after watching the "first" and only season, you will want to know more about exactly what happend 40 years ago in the tattered city that is the backdrop for the story. Sure, some of the diologe is a little cheesy (you have to understand that the films were prodeced in a different culture, and some things always get lost in english translation), and some characters could use some more development, but this is forgivable, because the series is about the story, and not nearly as much about the people who tell it. You should at the very least look into it. You might just find yourself a fan.
Rating:
Summary: Part Batman, Part Bond, Part Giant City-Smashing Robot...
Review: That quote from the previews on Cartoon Network pretty much sums it up, but really there's much more to it than that. Whereas other cartoon shows and anime have explored the whole futuristic film-noir thing before, The Big O is absolutely DRENCHED in film-noir atmosphere. And the similarities to Batman are quite understandable, as this show is brought to you by some of the same people who created Batman Beyond. Unfortunately, some of the weaknesses of that show carry over as well. Some episodes have a tendancy to just be an excuse for Rodger to fight yet ANOTHER enemy with his giant robot (much as some episodes of Batman Beyond were just another excuse for Batman to fight yet ANOTHER monster). In my opinion, the best episodes are the ones that focus more on the characters and their development, with less emphasis on fights.One episode in particular is my favorite episode of any television show I have yet seen. In the episode "Winter Night Phantom", one of the side-characters of the show finds that a spree of mad bombings he is investigating has some strange link to a reoccurring dream he has (one which shows the final scene from a movie where the two characters remind him of himself, and someone else that keeps seeing) , and as he comes closer to catching the person involved, he finds that his memories may indeed be predicting or causing his own future. That episode can be taken completely on it's own (almost like a short film) and carries out it's concept so flawlessly that it leaves me awestruck every time I see it. Most people who watch this show for more than a few minutes cannot help but be taken in by it. The reasons why should be obvious. There is the aforementioned film-noir atmosphere, gorgeous artwork, and some VERY snappy dialogue. More than that, the English voice actors really pour their heart and soul into this one (with the voice actors who portray Roger Smith and Dorothy being truly sublime). The music suits the atmosphere and mood perfectly, and really gets you into the drama. Sadly though, the music is reused over and over (and Roger's introductory comments at the beginning of each episode are quite similar as well). Some people might think of this as a weakness, but personally I like the way that each and every episode is self-contained and self-explanatory, while still building on previous episode subtly. The action sequences in this show don't disappoint, and are all done with a slick sense of style. There is some comedy in this show, but it's often subtle, building on the characters and their behaviors. The plot to this show is frustrating to some and deeply involving to others. Those going into the show expecting to get answers to all their questions are in for disappointment, while those who like a show that raises more questions as it goes along will probably get into this one. At the end of the day, this show is about a few things more than anything else. It's about great characters, a cool story, and style, style, style. Heck, after I got into this show, I bought a black suit just so I'd look more like Rodger. If you love classic anime, give this one a try. "It's show time!"
Rating:
Summary: Second Season now on TV, third may be produced
Review: The Amazon review is out of date in one major aspect. The second season of Big O was finally produced in a joint venture with Cartoon Network and is now being aired. If it turns out to be as popular as the first season, then a third will be jointly produced as well. So we'll be getting our answers about the story.
Rating:
Summary: The best dramatic anime since Bebop
Review: This is, without a doubt one of the greatest anime's of all time. This show has style and drama, that really has not been seen since Cowboy Bebop. The best thing about the show is that the story keps you guessing and wondering what the heck is really going on. Just when you think its gonna end one way, the whole story changes, and continues in a completely new path. The music had got to be the best part of the show. It sets the mood and atmosphere of each scene in the series, whether it be total action, or the sad death of a main character. The story is this (at least how the story is right now). A negotiator, Roger Smith, provides a much needed service in the city of Paradigm, the city of amnesia. Apparently, something, still unknown, hit this city and the entire world 40 years ago, and caused everyone to lose their memories, and all ideas of who they really were. Through a complex story line, Roger basically tries to find out what really happened. The show ended on a cliff hanger and is now into its second season after waiting a year and a half. And let me tell you, the first season was just the beginning. All bets are off, and everything you were told in season one, might be a lie. Basically, buy this, watch the second season on cartoon network, and freakin enjoy every mintue of it. Then buy the second season when that comes out. This was the worst review ever?
Rating:
Summary: One of the best anime series yet.
Review: This series is a departure from the normal anime that is out there. It is much more realistic (in many ways) for one thing. Some of the technology is science fiction, but overal everything has a retro feel to it. The characters are more realistic. Even the fictional technology is not so far out that it draws attention to itself. It shows people actually living. They eat, sleep, work, socialize, and more. The entire series is mostly dark, which fits the overal plot. The plots are simple, but the story does progress well. It is nice to have a series where there is not a single theme that occupies every thought and action. It is not done in soap opera fashion either. There is an overal plot, and some episodes do reflect on actions and events from previous ones. However, each episode does not lead directly to the next. Many episodes could stand alone. The entire series takes place in and around a single city. In fact, other than vauge references to other locations it is almost as if Paradigm City and the surrounding area are isolated from the rest of the world. Roger is a very human character. He is almost rude one moment and caring in the next. A very stubborn man with a strict code of ethics. He is not superior or special. He makes mistakes, and even appologizes. The second season is currently (September 2003) airing on Cartoon Network. I was so overjoyed to find this out. Many of us were so heartbroken when it just ended at a climactic moment. This is a very good series for anyone to watch. There is no nudity, excessive profanity, or excessive violence. This is a great series that relies on good content to tell a great story, and the price for the whole season is cheap. I can't wait to get season 2 when it comes out on DVD. It is rare that I buy a series after seeing it on TV. This one is worth it. It is a series that even someone that is not an anime fan can enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: bittersweet endings
Review: Well I started watching Big O on Toonami from day 1 and I really loved the whole design except for the fact that Dorothy was an android.I mean it essential to the story but just like almost every other android meets human story the human and the android always fall in love but even if they get together there is still the fact that most of the time the human will grow old and die while the android will stay young and live forever(mind you there are others with different types of androids that may age)and that is kind of depressingly complicated.Also the ending reminded me of Furi Kuri(whick is one of my favs)cause it was so complicated that you hardly wanted that to be the end.But overall it is still one of my favorite animes!^_^
Rating:
Summary: Big O! Showtime!
Review: When The Big O first premiered on Cartoon Network's Toonami, I dismissed it as being "just another mecha show". It wasn't until it aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim that I actually sat down and watched the entire series, realizing how great the series truly is. At first glance, Big O seems like just another giant robot show. However, if you dismiss it, like I did, you will be missing out on one of the greatest animes I have seen in a long time. In fact, it is very different from many mecha series in that each episode plays out as a sort of mystery, making it popular to compare this series to the animated Batman series. The story of the series is very dark, telling of Paradigm City, a metropolis much like a run-down New York, where every inhabitant lost their memories 40 years prior to the events of the series. "Memories" have become precious commodities in the "city of amnesia". Fragments of these memories are the Megadeus's, giant robots that seem to have minds of their own. Roger Smith, the show's protagonist, pilots one such Megadeus, the powerful Big O. The story may be dark, but the characters are certainly colorful. Roger Smith is a negotiator (think private investigator) who pilots the Big O. R. Dorothy is a female android who becomes Roger's sidekick and maid. Beck is a small-time criminal who seeks vengeance for Roger humiliating him. Many more characters appear and play important roles in the series. The animation, voice acting, and musical score are supurb. The animation is very fluid, but the colors are often drab but help to convey the mood of the series. The voice actors all do an excellent job, and they may be familiar to the avid anime viewer. The music is epic and helps to draw you into the show. The opening theme is somewhat strange, but I grew to like it over time. All in all, Big O is one of my favorite series ever. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys giant robot anime or just anime in general.
Rating:
Summary: Big O! Showtime!
Review: When The Big O first premiered on Cartoon Network's Toonami, I dismissed it as being "just another mecha show". It wasn't until it aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim that I actually sat down and watched the entire series, realizing how great the series truly is. At first glance, Big O seems like just another giant robot show. However, if you dismiss it, like I did, you will be missing out on one of the greatest animes I have seen in a long time. In fact, it is very different from many mecha series in that each episode plays out as a sort of mystery, making it popular to compare this series to the animated Batman series. The story of the series is very dark, telling of Paradigm City, a metropolis much like a run-down New York, where every inhabitant lost their memories 40 years prior to the events of the series. "Memories" have become precious commodities in the "city of amnesia". Fragments of these memories are the Megadeus's, giant robots that seem to have minds of their own. Roger Smith, the show's protagonist, pilots one such Megadeus, the powerful Big O. The story may be dark, but the characters are certainly colorful. Roger Smith is a negotiator (think private investigator) who pilots the Big O. R. Dorothy is a female android who becomes Roger's sidekick and maid. Beck is a small-time criminal who seeks vengeance for Roger humiliating him. Many more characters appear and play important roles in the series. The animation, voice acting, and musical score are supurb. The animation is very fluid, but the colors are often drab but help to convey the mood of the series. The voice actors all do an excellent job, and they may be familiar to the avid anime viewer. The music is epic and helps to draw you into the show. The opening theme is somewhat strange, but I grew to like it over time. All in all, Big O is one of my favorite series ever. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys giant robot anime or just anime in general.
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